FAQs

For several reasons, the majority of pets are cremated today. First, in many urban communities, ordinances or space prohibit owners from burying their pets in the back yard. Now, cremation is an affordable and simple option that often did not exist in the past. Finally, with our society becoming so much more mobile, choosing cremation gives you the ability to take your pet's cremated remains with you if you move to another home. This trend of cremation becoming the preferred method of disposition also is common to the human funeral business, where trends predict more than 50% of all human deaths will involve cremation as soon as 2025. Thus, you are making the right choice by selecting a Funeral Home which specializes in pet cremations.

Cremation is the process whereby your pet's body is reduced to bone particles and ash through the application of intense heat (usually 1400-1800 degrees Fahrenheit). This part of the process can take between 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the size of your pet and if they are in a special pet casket or cremation container. Following a sufficient period of cool down, the bone particles and ash are retrieved from the cremation equipment and then processed into a fine, consistent granular quality. The fine granular matter is placed in the urn and returned to you for final memorialization.

Yes. People typically chose their veterinarians for their heroic life-prolonging or sustaining capabilities. Though many veterinarians have some knowledge of the cremation process, this is not their specialty. However, by using your local trusted funeral director to handle your pet cremation, you can rest assured that you are getting a professional who has been highly trained with much experience when it comes to cremation. So, though your veterinarian has been a trusted advisor to you when it comes to your pet's good health, it only makes sense to seek out the professional assistance of your trusted local funeral director when it comes to his death care needs.

No. Most states do not regulate pet crematories. Thus, the quality of their facilities, services and staff can vary widely. What most pet owners don't realize is that the majority of pet cremation providers are not even located in their community.

By using a local funeral home offering pet loss services, you get a much quicker response when your pet dies either at your home or Vet's Clinic.The Funeral Home often responds immediately and takes your pet into their care right away. This means they can have the urn ready for you much quicker. This is not the same timeline for the standard pet cremation providers. Most of these standard providers are located faraway, which means, though not by choice, your Veterinarian professional will have to hold your pet at their facilities for upwards of a week until the standard cremation provider makes its next scheduled visit to your community. Then, it may be another week before the urn is ready for you to pick up.

Local funeral homes always have professional staff "on call" 24 hours every day of the year. They realize that death comes at all hours on any given day. Thus, they are ready to respond immediately to take your pet into their care whenever you may need their services.

Unlike the human cremation industry, there is very little or no regulations when it comes to pet cremations. Thus, different providers might be using the same terminology but for different types of cremation services. Basically, there are 3 types of pet cremations.

A "Private" cremation is one where your pet is the only pet in the equipment during the cremation process. This is the only option that ensures the cremated remains you receive are those of your beloved pet.

An "Individual" cremation is one where there can be several pets in the equipment at the same time in separate pans, or separated by bricks or other devices. When choosing this option, there is no guarantee that the cremated remains of the other pets will not be co-mingled with the remains of your beloved pet.

A "Communal or Batch" cremation is one where the cremation equipment is filled to capacity with pets and all of their cremated remains are commingled as a result. With this type of cremation, it is impossible for the provider to return your pet's cremated remains to you.

Because of the lack of regulation, it is important for you to ask your pet cremation provider what they mean when they use the terms like "private cremation" or "individual cremation".

We advise that you ask your Veterinarian, or the Cremation Provider directly if possible, three very important questions:

Where is the crematory located? As mentioned above, most families are shocked to learn that their pet is going to be transported several hundred miles away.

When will my pet be cremated and then be ready for pickup? Many are shocked to learn that their beloved pet is going to be held in a freezer at the Vet's facility for almost a week before they are picked up by the cremation provider. Then, it is going to be another week before their pet's cremated remains are ready for pickup.

When can I come & inspect it? You can learn a lot about the cremation provider by not only inspecting their facilities if possible, but even by how they respond to your request.

Most pet cremation providers do nothing to answer this oft-asked question. However, most funeral professionals use the same type of tracking procedures as for human remains. By using this system, they can provide you with absolute proof that you are receiving back your pet's cremated remains. Furthermore, if you desire, they can facilitate arrangements for you to be present at your pet's cremation for the ultimate peace of mind.

Just as cremation has gained in popularity over the last 2 decades, the preference has changed here as well. Fifteen years ago, only about 1 in 4 pet families chose "private cremation" - as most chose not to receive back their pet's cremated remains. Today, that ratio has flipped, as research indicates that today about 70% of all pet families choosing cremation want their pet's cremated remains back.

Pricing varies depending on your preferred type of cremation and the size of your pet. Please call one of our affiliated funeral director who can give you specific pricing and answer any other questions you might have.

Many pet cremation providers return the pet cremated remains in a temporary container, often a tin can or cardboard box. However, funeral professionals understand the dignity your pet's cremated remains deserve. Accordingly, they often use a very simple, yet dignified urn in all of their cremation offerings. Additionally, many families choose to upgrade to an urn that speaks of their pet's life. Visit the on-line Product Gallery for a large assortment of memorial urns, jewelry, garden stones and other merchandise.